Cinema in Thurso could be 'cultural hub for Caithness' after major investment in premises

THURSO cinema could become "a cultural hub for Caithness" following an investment of "well in excess of £500,000" in the facility.

So said Merlin Cinemas operations manager, Alex Jones, after three new additional screens were opened last Friday night at the premises in Ormlie Road, taking the total number to five.

"It was very exciting although we intended to do this before the Covid pandemic struck 18 months ago. It has been a long time coming as we were stuck in limbo with the lock down but the reaction has been outstanding. People are so proud to have a multiplex cinema in Caithness and we are trying to make it so special and modern for them.

"The main attraction on the night was the new James Bond film No Time to Die but the films are coming thick and fast now and Thurso will have them all," said Mr Jones who pointed out that the additional screens gives the company more variety and flexibility in the films it can screen. That is also the case for the performances it can show from stage to screen from places such as London.

"The cinema can become a cultural hub for Caithness," he said. A number of top films are lined up, including blockbusters and children's films and the extra screens means they can run for longer. The cinema also has bar and restaurant facilities as part of the complex.

"We are delighted with the reaction from the public and are convinced local people are going to support the cinema and long may that continue," he added.

Mr Jones paid tribute to the contribution made by local cinema campaigner Darren Manson "who pointed us in the direction of Thurso cinema."

The opening of the three new screens coincided with the 21st anniversary of the opening of the former All Star Factory which opened in October 2000.

It closed nine years later and lay empty until it re-opened as Thurso Cinema in 2012 when it moved to digital projection.

However, difficulties were encountered in 2015 and when campaign group Cinema for Thurso alerted Merlin Cinemas of the impending closure, the Penzance-based company moved quickly and the cinema – the most northerly in mainland Britain – was back open by November that year.

Mr Manson, who was present when the new screens were unveiled, said: "Customers I spoke to expressed satisfaction with the comfort of the new seats and delight that the new screens will increase choice while offering the very best quality in sound and picture. In screens three and four the public will also find that the arm rests can be raised out of the way, something which may be appreciated by couples"

He said the cinema is fitted with "Barco laser projectors which are the pinnacle in digital projection and in conjunction with the existing Sony 4K systems, allow Caithness audiences to enjoy the very best film presentation."

Mr Manson added:"It seems fitting that on the 21st anniversary of the cinema's opening it should step out of its past as a twin-screen complex and into the future as a five-screen multiplex. The local management and staff along with the team at Merlin are to be commended on the excellent work and effort that has given Thurso one of the best local cinemas in Britain."

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